SIR IAN MCGEECHAN enjoyed a successful career as a rugby player before his retirement, racking up 32 caps for Scotland and becoming one of the top players in the team’s history.
But the sportsman – who has been ranked amongst Gregor Townsend and Stuart Hogg as the team’s best – hasn’t slowed down in the decades since he hung up his playing boots, having embarked on a new path as a coach, teacher and TV pundit.
Ian McGeechan is a former rugby player and coach who now works as an ITV punditTony Marshall/EMPICS Sport
Who is Sir Ian McGeechan?
Sir Ian McGeechan is a former Scottish rugby player and coach.
He was born on October 30, 1946, in Headingley, Leeds.
McGeechan’s father is from Glasgow, Scotland, which is how he was able to represent Scotland in his rugby career.
I am very proud of my family and I want to dedicate this honour to them.
Sir Ian McGeechan
While interested in rugby at a young age, McGeechan actually trained as a PE teacher at Carnegie Physical Training College before embarking on his professional playing career.
He would later return to work as a teacher during his time as a coach.
The star played for only Headingley during his 15-year club career and won 32 caps for Scotland after making his international debut for the team in 1972.
McGeechan was also captain for Scotland on nine occasions and toured with the British & Irish Lions in 1974 and 1977.
The sportsman received an OBE for his services to rugby in the 1990 Birthday Honours and was knighted 20 years later in the 2010 New Year Honours list.
Ahead of the 2024 Six Nations, McGeechan was confirmed as one of ITV’s pundits for the tournament.
He was announced for the line-up alongside his fellow Scot Johnnie Beattie, ex-England star Ugo Monye, Italy‘s Sergio Parisse and French forward Benjamin Kayser.
What is Sir Ian McGeechan’s net worth?
McGeechan has been reported to have an estimated net worth of over £3.5million.
He has likely amassed this fortune through his years as a rugby player and coach, and subsequent work as a pundit and motivational speaker.
When did Sir Ian McGeechan retire?
McGeechan retired from rugby in 1979.
He went on to become a coach and pundit for ITV, as well as a motivational speaker.
According to a motivational speaker booking company, Speaker’s Corner, McGeechan offers “motivational talks on teamwork strategies and sports branding”.
His talks can also “educate a business audience on creative leadership”.
McGeechan’s fees are listed as between £5k – £10k per speaking engagement.
What rugby teams has Sir Ian McGeechan coached so far?
McGeechan has coached many teams throughout his career.
He became coach for Scotland’s rugby team in 1988, nearly ten years after he had retired as a player and two years after he joined Scotland as the assistant to then-coach Derrick Grant.
In 1994 he was appointed as Director of Rugby at Northampton and five years later, in 1999, he replaced Jim Telfer as Scottish Director of Rugby.
McGeechan was appointed Director of Rugby at London Wasps in 2005, where he stayed until his brief 2010 stint as an advisor to Gloucester Head Coach Bryan Redpath.
Following Steve Meehan’s departure from Bath in 2011, McGeechan joined the team as the director of rugby.
He was then appointed as executive chairman of Championship club Leeds Carnegie, a role he stepped down from in 2019.
McGeechan also coached the British & Irish Lions, the test side made up of players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales, for the team’s tours in 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2009.
Is Sir Ian McGeechan married and does he have any children?
McGeechan has been married to wife Judy since 1969.
The couple have two children together – a son called Robert and a daughter named Heather.
His family largely stay out of the spotlight but after he was knighted in 2010 McGeechan was quick to praise his family for their support over the years.
He said at the time: “This couldn’t have been achieved without the backing of my wife, Judy, and my children, Heather and Rob.
“It is their constant support that has provided such an inspiration to me.
“I am very proud of my family and I want to dedicate this honour to them.”
McGeechan’s daughter Heather is married to rugby player Charlie Beech.
Of their marriage, McGeechan said in a 2009 interview with The Guardian: “Heather was never going to stray far from a rugby player.
“She’s always been besotted with the game and so we’re thrilled because they’ve given us our first grandchild as well.”
The couple appear to have gone on to have three more children together as Charlie’s Instagram bio describes him as a “father of four”.